Method for radar direction of missiles



June 6, 1961 R. WELLER METHOD FOR RADAR DIRECTION OF MISSILES RA DA I? THANSM/ TTEI? Filed June 3, 1949 ROYAL WELLER n d St tes I atent 2,987,269 METHOD FOR RADAR DIRECTION OF MISSILES 1 (Granted under Title 35, US. Code (1952), see. 266) The present invention relates to a method of radar direction of missiles and more particularly to a method of direction of missiles by a microwave transmitter placed in the vicinity of the target.

-In prior art arrangements it has been the practice to mount a microwave transmitter in the missile to be guided thereby. In such arrangement the microwave transmitter must be built extremely rugged to withstand the great shock incurred during the firing of the missile.

In the present method the transmitter is carried by means of a rocket or the like into the vicinity of a target and released together with a parachute for supporting it over the target area, a gyroscope or other suitable means being employed to maintain the transmitted beam within the target area. Ruggedness, therefore, is not a necessary feature of the transmitter for the reason that a rocket is not subjected to great shock during the launching thereof. It is, therefore, possible in practicing the present invention to employ more delicate and more sensitive apparatus, and in the absence of a large explosive charge in the rocket space limitations will be avoided in arranging the apparatus in the rocket.

The present method is more economical in use than prior art arrangements in that only one microwave transmitter will be employed to direct a plurality of missiles. The present method is arranged in such a manner that jamming of the transmitted microwave signal may be avoided by launching a transmitter tuned to a certain frequency followed by a plurality of missiles tuned to the same frequency, and before the enemy is able to ascertain such frequency for the purpose of jamming the signal a second transmitter tuned to another frequency is launched followed by a second plurality of missiles tuned to the frequency of the second transmitter. Thus if the frequency is changed with every volley of missiles it will be diflicult for the enemy to ascertain the frequency rapidly enough to interfere with the operation of the missiles.

An object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved method for microwave guidance of missiles in which a plurality of missiles are guided to a target by a single transmitter suspended over the target area.

Another object is to provide a method for microwave guidance of missiles wherein a transmitter is employed near the target area and separately suspended with respect to a plurality of missiles controllable thereby.

Still another object is to provide a method and apparatus for the transmission of a microwave beam in which tilting of a parachute supported transmitting antenna is prevented whereby the beam is projected into a target area.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating the method of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating apparatus for use in the method of the present invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawings wherein like numerals of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views there is shown a microwave transmitice ter indicated generally at 10, the purpose thereof being to impinge a target 11 with a radar beam for the guidance of microwave controlled missiles. The mechanism 1-0 is supported in the air by a parachute 1-2. It is, of' course, understood that the mechanism is transported to a position adjacent the target by means of a rocket or the like and released therefrom.

Upon release of the mechanism (10, the parachute 12 opens and the mechanism begins a gradual descent during which time the target is impinged with the microwave beam.

The mechanism 10 comprises a casing 13 containing a microwave transmitting apparatus 14. Supported atthe lower end of casing 13 is amicrowave antenna 15 having a directional reflector 16. The transmitted beam of antenna 15 is maintained in a substantially constant, vertical direction and directed toward the target area by means of a gyroscope 17 operatively connected thereto in any well-known manner.

In carrying out the method of the present invention the mechanism 10 and the parachute 12 therefor are mounted in a rocket in any well-known manner, and carried thereby to a position in the vicinity of the tar-get and released, the release being accomplished by any wellknown means such, for example, as by a time delay fuse. Upon release thereof the mechanism -10 is suspended by the parachute 12 and the microwave transmitter 14 starts its operation. The gyroscope 17 maintains the beam directed toward the target area and prevents the antenna from influencing missiles fired at the target directly and causing the missiles to be directed toward the mechanism. The gyroscope 17 maintains the beam on the target area to influence microwave controlled missiles directed to the target by the reflection of the beam from the target.

As indicated in FIG. 1 the missiles 18 fired from vessel 19 are guided by microwave beam reflections from target 11. The missiles 1-8 are equipped with a directionfinding receiver of any well known type suitable for the purpose, tuned to the frequency of the microwave signal emitted by transmitter 14 and reflected from the target 11, which directs the flight of the missiles 18 to target 11.

An important feature of the present arrangement is that a mechanism 10 may be released adjacent the target and thereafter project a certain frequency beam on the target -11 to guide a series of missiles to the target. A second mechanism 10 is launched a few seconds later tuned to project a beam of a different frequency and to guide a second series of missiles to the target. In this manner attempts of the enemy to jam a certain frequency to prevent microwave operation is effectively thwarted by reason of the rapidity with which the frequency of the microwave beam may be changed.

It is apparent that the arrangement of the present invention permits a greater amount of explosive charge to be mounted in the missiles employed therewith because of the absence of transmitting apparatus ordinarily contained therein.

It is also apparent that in the use of one transmitter for a group or salvo of missiles an appreciable saving in apparatus is made while, at the same time, the target is more effectively illuminated by reason of the proximity of the transmitter.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

The method of guiding a plurality of salvos of missiles toward a target area comprising the steps of discretely suspending a plurality of microwave transmitters in successive predetermined intervals of time above the target area, each transmitter projecting toward the target area a microwave beam of predetermined frequency, but of a frequency different from those of the other transmitters, during its respective predetermined interval of time, launching a salvo of microwave-controlled guided missiles toward the target area during each of said predetermined intervals/of time, the missile-salvo of each predetermined interval of time being guided to the target area in response to substantially only the microwave frequency of the transmitter operating during its respective predetermined interval of time.

UNITED STATES PATENTS Great Britain July 17, 

